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LOT 3020
Incredibly Rare, Historic, Documented Factory Engraved Savage Model 1907 Semi-Automatic Pistol Inscribed to Famed Wild West Showman Pawnee Bill with Factory Letter - Serial no. 47978, 32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. All Savage factory engraved pistols are rare. Those that are also inscribed to famed American Wild West showmen are incredibly rare. Based on Daniel K. Stern’s research published in his book, “10 Shots Quick: The Fascinating Story of the Savage Pocket Automatics,” the most famous of all Wild West showman, Buffalo Bill, ordered five Savage pistols engraved with the names of some of his friends (pages 82-83). RIAC had the pleasure of selling a pistol inscribed to Buffalo Bill himself (no. 33177) in the September 2021 Premier Firearms Auction No. 83. And now we once again have a Savage pistol inscribed to a famed Wild West showman: Gordon William “Pawnee Bill” Lillie (1860-1942). While this pistol is not among the five listed by Stern as ordered by Buffalo Bill, it nevertheless stands as a historic and rare piece of Savage and Wild West memorabilia. At an early age Pawnee Bill was captivated by anything Wild West. By his late teens he was working as an interpreter on the Pawnee Indian Agency in Indian Territory located in what is now the state of Oklahoma. His work as a Pawnee interpreter earned him the nickname “Pawnee Bill.” In 1883, his Pawnee language skills provided him the opportunity to become a cast member to the most famous of the Wild West troupes, “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West.”“Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” was
a circus-like extravaganza that toured widely for three decades in the United States and later throughout Europe. Besides Buffalo Bill himself, the Wild West show starred sharpshooter Annie Oakley, Chief Sitting Bull, and real Wild West cowboys and range hands as extras and stand-ins. For the show, Pawnee Bill worked as an interpreter as well as a performer. In 1888, Pawnee Bill and his wife, May, started their own Wild West show called “Pawnee Bill’s Historic Wild West.” Within the first year it was a complete financial disaster that required them
to reorganize and rename the troupe “Pawnee Bill’s Historical Wild West, Indian Museum and Encampment.” This time the show, which traveled throughout the United States and Europe, was a hit to the point of being a major competitor to “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West.” The show consisted of a very diverse cast that included Mexican, Pawnee, Sioux, Japanese and Arab performers. To reflect the inclusiveness of its cast, the show was renamed “Pawnee Bill’s Wild West and Great Far East Show.” In 1908, Pawnee Bill joined with Buffalo Bill to create the “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Pawnee Bill’s Great Far East,” often called
the “Two Bills Show.” Pawnee Bill’s other successful business ventures included banking, real estate, oil, running the tourist attraction Pawnee Bill’s Old Town, and even a motion picture company that made films at his Arts & Crafts home on Blue Hawk Peak in Pawnee, Oklahoma, which exists today as a museum. His efforts to protect the American bison led to
the establishment of Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. The pistol features Savage A or Protector Grade factory engraving. The modest coverage clearly exhibits the English style scrollwork of Savage’s Master Engraver Enoch Tue. This style of engraving was the most basic type
of Savage’s pistol engraving patterns and was commonly offered at an additional charge of $12.50 above the $15 price for a non-engraved pistol. The gun is personalized with the inscription “MAJOR G.W. LILLIE” on the left side of the frame just above the grip panel. The accompanying factory letter confirms the factory A engraving and “name engraved on left side of frame” when it was sold to Major G.W. Lillie, accepted on October 28, 1911, and shipped on November
2, 1911. Savage used several celebrity endorsements in its advertising campaign for the Model 1907. These famous endorsements came from the likes of Wild West showman Buffalo Bill, lawman William ”Bat” Masterson, detective William Pinkerton and detective W.J. Burns who “prefer[ed] the Savage Automatic for its speed and accuracy.”“The unanimous
choice of these men may be safely backed against the world,” proclaimed the Savage booklet “It Banishes Fear!” This was after all “the greatest weapon ever invented for the protection of the home.” Using the names of celebrity shooters who endorsed the Model 1907 was part of Savage’s marketing strategy that ramped up in 1911. Savage often provided the endorser with a free gun(s) and/or payment. Perhaps this pistol was presented by Savage
to Pawnee Bill in an attempt to win over his endorsement just as his old friend Buffalo Bill had done. The engraving on Buffalo Bill’s inscribed no. 33177, which was presented to him by the factory in 1911, is very similar to the patterns decorating this Model 1907.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 80% bright original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The engraving is crisp. The grips
are excellent with a few minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This factory engraved Model 1907 Pistol is a great piece of Savage and Wild West heritage.
Estimate: 20,000 - 35,000
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Wild West Showman Pawnee Bill